When it comes to finding mental health care for a teen or pre-teen, many parents believe that there are only two options for support: one-on-one therapy or inpatient hospitalization during a crisis. But what if your child needs more support than a weekly session with a therapist, and their symptoms haven’t reached the intensity that would require an inpatient facility? That’s where Embrace U comes in.
Think of the mental health journey as an Oreo cookie: the bottom cookie represents traditional one-on-one therapy, while the top cookie represents inpatient hospitalization. But if you’ve ever eaten an Oreo cookie, you know that the best part isn’t the cookie. It’s the creamy, sweet filling. Much like the filling in the Oreo cookie, Embrace U is the perfect medium between outpatient therapy and hospitalization.
“One-on-one therapy can be incredibly valuable, and hospitalization is sometimes necessary for safety, but our partial hospitalization program and intensive outpatient program offer a unique middle ground where clients receive comprehensive clinical support while remaining connected to their daily lives and support systems,” said Alyssa Sebastian, Embrace U’s regional director.
Two Mental Health Programs for Teens
Embrace U’s intensive outpatient program (IOP) and partial hospitalization program (PHP) are designed to offer a safe space where children can learn to express their emotions, identify triggers and understand how to manage symptoms of a mental health challenge. The programs range from three to five days per week, depending on the level of support needed, and most participants stay in our programs for an average of six weeks.
Our team starts by developing individualized treatment plans to provide our patients & their parents with focus and direction. Teens are then able to spend a few hours a day practicing coping skills and therapeutic support with our therapists, then go home and implement what they’ve learned in their daily lives.
“Mental health treatment isn’t simply about preventing a crisis or providing weekly support. It’s about creating the space between those two levels of care where meaningful healing can occur,” Sebastian said. “PHP and IOP provide intensive therapeutic support while allowing individuals to continue practicing skills in their everyday lives.”
Within IOP and PHP, participants engage in group therapy, psychoeducation, coping skills training, and process-oriented group sessions. They also have regular meetings with our psychiatric providers as well as individual sessions with therapists. Group therapy is the primary mode of treatment, and Embrace U uses art, dance, and play therapies to help adolescents (ages 10 to 18) and their family members feel prepared, educated and confident. There are also weekly parent education and support groups led by our therapists to provide guidance on themes practiced throughout the week, on how best to implement these skills at home, as well as answer any questions or concerns parents have to ensure teens stay on a positive path towards recovery.
Finding The Right Treatment For Your Adolescent
Mental health care isn’t one-size-fits-all. Some teens will thrive with the bottom Oreo cookie while others will need the top cookie. But sometimes, the best care isn’t found at either end of the spectrum. It’s right in the middle as the filling, and that’s where Embrace U thrives. We’re the middle ground of mental health: when a teen or pre-teen needs more than weekly one-on-one therapy, but is safe enough to return home after daily treatment.
As one of our recent graduates wrote to future Embrace U members, “While here, you will have both good days and bad days. Know that this is normal and that the good days will become more frequent as your treatment progresses. Just keep your head up when times are difficult and keep those who make your good days better close.”
